Patricia has one of the most unique looks in the NFL, with a full beard that he first grew as a tribute to military members serving overseas and a pencil routinely placed behind his ear.

That look has spawned plenty of fan impersonators, but Cooter said he’s growing his scruff out for a different reason.

“Last I checked we got I think two out of three outdoors coming up, a couple places not known to be really balmy this time of year,” Cooter said. “It’s practical. It’s functional. We’ve been known to be outside a little bit, so we’re going to work to make that process as good as possible.”

The Lions, 5-8 but still in the NFC wildcard hunt, visit the Buffalo Bills on Sunday where game-time temperatures are expected to be below 40 degrees.

The Lions host the Minnesota Vikings, currently in the lead for the conference’s sixth playoff spot, next week and close the season with another cold-weather game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field.

Detroit Lions head coach Matt Patricia watches during the first half of NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Dec. 9, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz.(Photo: Rick Scuteri, AP)

Agnew update

Jamal Agnew is eligible to play Sunday against the Bills for the first time since he injured his left knee in a Week 5 win over the Packers, but so far there’s been no indication the Lions will activate him from injured reserve.

“He’s kind of working his way back as far as that’s concerned, and we’re just day-by-day with that,” Patricia said in a teleconference Tuesday. “So we’ll work through the week like we have been with him and see how it goes and see where we’re at when we get to Friday, and then towards game time we’ll make an appropriate decision as we get closer.”

Detroit Lions cornerback Jamal Agnew runs with the ball on a jet sweep in the second quarter against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium on Sept. 30, 2018.(Photo: Matthew Emmons, USA TODAY Sports)